According to the United Master Executive Council of ALPA, the
antitrust immunity being sought by United Airlines and Continental
Airlines not only has the potential to outsource tens of thousands
of American jobs, it also could take experienced pilots off
international routes.
UAL and Continental are seeking antitrust immunity to allow
Continental to join the Star Alliance. The Alliance has increased
international flying, but (according to ALPA) at the expense of US
carriers. This has reportedly led to an increase in the outsourcing
of American pilot jobs. United Airlines' boasts that its average
cockpit crew has more than 43 years of combined flying experience
on international routes.
The United Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots
Association has called on Congress and the Obama Administration to
delay the scheduled May 31 granting of antitrust immunity to UAL
and CAL so labor can weigh in on the possible ramifications such
immunity could produce.
"There has never been a more pressing time for Congress and the
Obama Administration to step in to prevent even more middle-class
American jobs from being outsourced," said Captain Steve Wallach,
chairman of the United MEC. "However, with its tentative approval
of Antitrust Immunity for the STAR Alliance, the Department of
Transportation has opened the door for more job losses and pay cuts
for American workers.
"United pilots pioneered many of the safety innovations such as
onboard weather radar, anti-skid brakes, enhanced weather
forecasting, and improved navigation instruments that allow safe
flight operations," added Captain Wallach. "Our training center and
our pilots are among the best in the world. Does the current
Administration really want to also outsource that experience when
granting antitrust immunity without considering what the travelling
public may get in exchange?"
The Star Alliance was formed in 1997 with six airline members.
Today, it has grown to more than 20 airlines, though Continental
would join United and US Airways as the only United States members
of the Star Alliance. The Star Alliance is expected to grow to 50
airlines, mostly non-U.S. carriers. Increasingly, ALPA postulates
that passengers booking travel from the United States on United are
likely to find themselves flying on foreign airlines.
"The Alliance has expedited the outsourcing of American jobs,
and most, if not all of the increases in flying have gone to
overseas carriers," said Captain Wallach. "The current antitrust
immunity request by United and Continental has been placed on the
fast track without weighing the impact on labor.
"The issue's reach, however, goes far beyond jobs and economics.
We are concerned about the loss of flying expertise this Antitrust
Immunity could subject American passengers to -- passengers who
expect to fly with and value United's professional and experienced
flight crews. It is our view that enough questions have been raised
that this application should be given a full and public hearing,"
added Captain Wallach. "Congress and the new Administration need to
fully view, with input from labor, the ramifications of such an
approval. We are not opposed to ATI as long as there are adequate
protections for labor and our passengers."
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